Often I have written about security threats, identity theft, hacking etc. And in general folks have undertood the seriousness of the issue. However, the article I am attaching really puts it into perspective. It details what your data is worth on the streets. Some of the amounts may seem surprisingly small to you, others crazy high, but the real cost is the damage done to your life in trying to recover your credit rating, good name and security. The article does not comment on the life impact aspect because much of the cost is embedded in pain and suffering, but the fact remains your trauma is real in the case of data theft. Also, a lot of this theft comes from overseas hackers which makes any kind of prosecution almost impossible (if you can even find the thief) further inflaming the emotional pain.

Average estimated price for stolen credit and debit cards: $5 to $30 in the United States; $20 to $35 in the United Kingdom; $20 to $40 in Canada; $21 to $40 in Australia; and $25 to $45 in the European Union.